Meet Gary Smith, Esq.
One of America’s foremost authorities on psychedelics law, Gary Smith advises companies and organizations around the country on matters related to drug laws and treaties, application of federal acts, public initiatives and religion.
General counsel to the nation’s oldest multi-racial peyote church and legal consultant in numerous cases, he also devotes significant time and effort advocating and rallying support for the proposed Uniform Plant and Fungi Medicine Act. This is a model law public initiative he’s driving that would create regulatory structures under state law to legalize certain psychedelics.
Gary is a prolific writer, including author of Psychedelica Lex, the preeminent legal manual for individuals and organizations with a vested or growing interest in psychedelics and entheogens. Lobbyists, policymakers, lawmakers, advocacy groups, physicians, religious leaders, business professionals and enthusiasts alike appreciate the valuable and timely information he provides. He expands on many of the book’s themes in his popular Psychedelica Lex podcast, bringing on some of the leading figures in the field for engaging conversations. A sought-after speaker at industry events, Gary also is a founding member of the Psychedelic Bar Association and serves as chair of its Legalization and Regulation Committee.
Beyond Psychedelica Lex, Gary regularly contributes articles on psychedelics and cannabis media outlets around the country, including Psychedelics Today, Chacruna, Green Entrepreneur, Hemp Grower, Phoenix Business Journal, In Business Greater Phoenix and Arizona Attorney.
Before delving into psychedelics law, Gary built a successful cannabis and hemp practice at Guidant Law in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to representing dispensary owners, growers and investors in multi-million-dollar litigation and receivership disputes, he served as amici counsel to the former Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services in the pivotal Arizona Supreme Court petition State v. Jones, restoring cannabis extracts and concentrates to legal status under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.
Gary also co-founded and is a board member of the Arizona Cannabis Bar Association, where he currently serves as president, and serves on the board of directors for the Arizona Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. He is a sought-after source for media stories on cannabis, providing insight in numerous TV interviews and Arizona business publications.
Admitted to practice law in Arizona, Colorado, New York and North Carolina, the U.S. District Court, 9th Circuit District of Arizona, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
